Mike Jenkins visiting Arizona Cardinals
Mike Jenkins (21) reacts during the game against the San Diego Chargers at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Arizona Cardinals have shown interest in cornerback Mike Jenkins ever since the start of free agency, and the former Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders CB took a visit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers yesterday. Both the Cardinals and the Bucs are looking to add Jenkins to the mix at corner, and the Arizona Republic’s Kent Somers reports that the Cards are hosting Jenkins on a free agent visit today. It wouldn’t surprise me if there are a couple of more teams with mild interest in Jenkins as a reclamation project, but right now these are the two favorites as the only teams to schedule visits with him, let alone be linked at all to the CB.
Jenkins is 28 and recorded 65 tackles with two interceptions and six passes defended last season, and there’s no doubt that he’s always had top-notch talent. The issue is that while he has experience, he has been very burn-prone and has never fulfilled his potential after collapsing following a five-interception, 19-PD season in 2009 with the Cowboys. Jenkins was amazing that year, but he hasn’t come close to that level of success since then.
Still, Jenkins would be a solid signing for a team looking to add a CB3, and both the Cards and Buccaneers could use him. He would come on a cheap deal for one season, and Jenkins has the ability to play inside or outside. That versatility alone gives him some nice value, and he would be a quality signing at the right price and in the right role; both the Bucs and Cards give him the opportunity to have that.